Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Saheed Akinwumi     Galadiman Ngeri     Gambari     Awwal Jawondo     Aso Ofi     Bayo Ajia     Jaiz Bank     Sarah Alade     EFCC     Sulyman Tejidini     Emir Of Ilorin     Otoge     Sabi     Yakub Lai Gobir     Abdullahi Biffo     Florence Saraki     Buari Edun     Pakata     CCEPE     Borgu     C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng     Monsurat Omotosho     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     CACOVID     Aishatu Ahmed Gobir     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Yunus Lawal     Mahe Abdulkadir     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Saad Omo\'ya     Ayobola Ipinlaiye     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Tanke Road     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro     Yemi Osinbajo     Oba Abu     Ayekale     Paul Odama     Ahmad Belgore     New Naira Notes     Maryam Ado Bayero     Osi     Gbajabiamila     KSIRS     Kwara Politics     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Neo Mundo Ltd     Mohammed Halidu     Tunde Oyawoye     Idowu Laro     Ajayi Okasanmi     Bilikisu Gambari     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Majlis For Sadaqah, Zakat And Waqf     Bello Oyedepo     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Nigeria Customs Service     Kumbi Titiloye     Alaaya     Oluronke Adeyemi     Mahmud Ajeigbe     JMK Construction Company Limited     Yusuf Aiyedun     Yusuf Badmus     Bolaji Gambari     Ahmad Lawan     Kwara State Health Insurance Agency     Shuaib Olarongbe     Ahmed Alhasssan     Kpotum Mohammed Baba     Alapado     Offorjama     Akeem Lawal     Communication Network Support Services     Shuaib Abdulkadir     EndSARS    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Shuaibu Yaman     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     KWSUED     Harmony Holdings     S.O. Opowoye     Salihu Jibril Garbi     Kola Ologbondiyan     April 11     Kwara 2023     JAMB     Oya State     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     New Nigeria People’s Party     Babajide Ajayi     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Bolaji Nagode     Kuliyan Geri     ER-KANG Mining     UNIFEMGA     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Hassan Taiye Salam     ANCOPPS     Nigerian Correctional Service     Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board     Akeem Lawal     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Ado Ibrahim     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Offa Poly     Kwara State Branch Of The National Library     2017 Budget     Fulani     Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Ilorin South     Galadiman Ngeri     Arik     Nigerian Army     Minimum Wage     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     Bayo Onimago     Aisha Ahman-Pategi     AbdulQowiy Olododo     TESCOM     Balikis Jawondo     Aliyu Muyideen     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     Abdulkarim Adisa     Abdulrosheed Okiki     Kazeem Gbolagade     Charles Ibitoye     Mohammed Yisa     Split Diamond Interchange     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Al-Adaby     Islamiya Abdulraheem     Emmanuel Bello     Ilorin Metro Park     Photo News     Universal Basic Education Commission     Salman Suleiman     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Abubakar Suleiman     Lai Gobir     Omoniyi Ayinla     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Joseph Daudu     Akanbi-Oke     Adeniyi Ojo     Grillo     Isaac Aderemi Kolawole     Ike Ekweremadu     Olatinwo     Ahmad Ali     REO CAKES     Ishaq Oloyede     NITDA